Following Venizel and Champblain-Laveyron, Saica has commissioned a new biomass boiler at its Nogent-sur-Seine site (Aube department), marking a major milestone in the Group’s energy transition.
Representing an investment of €86 million, this new facility designed to produce green energy replaces the old natural gas boilers, drastically reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
A Structural Project Launched in 2021
Funded by the French Government as part of the stimulus plan (Plan de Relance) operated by ADEME and backed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU to the tune of €14.99 million, this project embodies the objectives of the National Climate Plan, which supports renewable energy and encourages reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
The project is based on the installation of a biomass steam generator, divided into four main areas:
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A 49.75 MW thermal biomass boiler with a net low-pressure steam production of 450,000 tons per year.
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An external fuel preparation unit utilizing locally recovered waste wood.
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A recovery unit for by-products derived from the purification of paper and cardboard for recycling (the raw material for packaging paper production).
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A 5.5 MWe steam turbine producing 37 GWh/year, covering 28% of the mill’s electricity consumption.
Over the past few years, the project has passed all key milestones, from the administrative and environmental procedures initiated in 2021 to obtaining official permits in 2023. Project management work and contracts for the main equipment—the biomass boiler, fuel treatment system, and steam turbine—were launched between 2023 and 2024, paving the way for testing and commissioning phases carried out in 2025. Installation was officially completed in May 2026, marking the culmination of this strategic project.
With a capacity of 49.75 MWth, the Nogent-sur-Seine biomass boiler will produce approximately 300 GWh/year, covering 90% of the mill’s steam requirements, with the remaining 10% met by a biogas boiler. It will replace the equivalent of 30 million normal cubic meters (Nm³) of natural gas per year, leading to an 89% reduction in the site’s consumption of this fossil fuel. This energy transition will result in a 75% decrease in the site’s Scope 1 fossil greenhouse gas emissions, representing around 50,000 tons of avoided CO₂ each year.
Beyond environmental performance, this equipment will optimize and secure energy production costs within a demanding industrial and competitive landscape.
A Circular Economy and Regional Development Approach
In parallel, this facility will enable the direct on-site recovery of more than 97%—approximately 50,000 tons—of the by-products generated by the papermaking production process.
The biomass supply, consisting of 65,000 tons per year of waste wood collected within a radius of approximately 100 km around Nogent-sur-Seine, illustrates Saica’s commitment to structuring a sustainable local sector (with an estimated 40 indirect jobs generated). This installation is fully integrated into a circular economy approach, promoting the recycling and recovery of available resources as close as possible to production sites.
This commissioning goes far beyond simple environmental and economic benefits. It represents a significant step forward in Saica’s mission to combine industrial innovation with ecological commitment, while reinforcing its role as a leader in the recycled paper sector.
A Strategic Site for the Saica Group
The Nogent-sur-Seine paper mill in the Aube department is a modern facility created in 2005 and acquired in 2018 by the Saica Group. With over 150 direct jobs and close collaboration with local businesses, the plant plays a major role in the region’s economic development. The mill produces containerboard (Papier Pour Ondulé – PPO), which is 100% recycled from recovered paper and cardboard (PCR).
The commissioning of the biomass boiler confirms the key role of the Nogent-sur-Seine mill in the Group’s industrial and environmental strategy. It positions the site as a benchmark for the circular economy while contributing to the long-term sustainability of local employment, with more than 15 additional jobs created.
“At Saica, biomass is much more than an alternative energy source: it is a pillar of our commitment to a sustainable future. By recovering every single ton of end-of-life waste wood in our biomass boiler, we considerably reduce our carbon footprint while building a genuine circular economy at the local level. In Nogent-sur-Seine, this commitment translates into a structured network that combines energy independence with environmental respect. Through this approach, we bridge industrial performance with ecological responsibility—an ambition that guides our every action.” — Renaud Guilianelli, Industrial Director, Saica Paper France
